Increasing the Patient-Clinician Connection: the “Presence 5 Practices”

Authors:
Emily Prohaska, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP
Nick Schulte, PharmD, BCPS

Reviewers:
Abigail Klutts, PharmD
Vivian Cheng, PharmD, BCPS

Citation: Zulman DM, Haverfield MC, Shaw JG, et al. Practices to foster physician presence and connection with patients in the clinical encounter. JAMA 2020;323(1):70-81. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.19003.

The Problem:

Amidst scientific and technological advancements and our increasing focus on administrative tasks and metrics, meaningful connections with our patients are falling by the wayside.¹ Mindlessly using technology can be distracting and lower patient perceptions of their quality of care.²  Virtual representation of the actual patient and the assumption that adequate information can be obtained from electronic medical records³ create additional barriers for clinicians connecting with patients. How can the busy practitioner increase “presence” with patients while still meeting clinical and administrative demands?